Two-time Olympian Matt Centrowitz was named director of Manhattan College cross country and track and field on August 1, 2018. In this role, Centrowitz is responsible for leading the overall organization and direction of the program.

No stranger to college coaching, Centrowitz led American University's cross country and track and field programs from 1999 to 2017, mentoring 11 NCAA All-American runners and earning Patriot League Coach of the Year honors nine times in 18 years. During his tenure, American's men's cross country team won six-straight league championships, while his student-athletes won 89 individual or relay championships in Patriot League cross country and track competitions.

In 2017, Centrowitz stepped away from American to have a bigger role in the training of his son, Olympic middle-distance runner Matthew Centrowitz who won gold in the 1,500-meter race at the 2016 Olympic games in Rio.

With this position, Centrowitz returns to his New York City roots. Originally from the Bronx, he attended Power Memorial High School, and, in 1973, set the still-standing New York state record in the mile (4:02.7).

He started his collegiate career at Manhattan College before transferring to the University of Oregon, where he made his first U.S. Olympic team in the 1,500-meter race in 1976. Centrowitz made the team a second time in 1980, and later set the national 5,000-meters record (13:12) in 1982. He is a four-time national champion in the 5,000-meters.